Hello, posting this a bit late because I had to go to Winnipeg early on Thursday so had to get up early which meant I had to hit the hay as soon as I got home :-(

It was a great course we essentially just worked on the nail tray project, laying out the cutlist on the wood, then dimensioning the wood. Really just learning how to interpret the drawings and instructions.

There was one huge, significant and really cooolll thing Ryan introduced to us…THE ROUTER PLANE!!!! This is such a totally cool, awesome and really great tool. If I wasn’t so incredibly happily married I think I would run off with this tool:-)! I’ve looked at them before in the LV catalogue (we were using the Veritas ones!) and kinda thought they were gimmicky and would be difficult to use; a tool not really needed since you can do the same thing so many other ways….I was way wrong! Ryan demo’d a very clear, effective way to use it…so easy that even I understood it :-)! I finished my layout (does anybody else lay out almost all of the bits before they start cutting or am I weird…I mean weird about the layout process I’ll grant that I am probably weird on many other fronts LOL) and snagged one of the three Router planes the College has. I layed out the cuts as Ryan showed us, and wow it cut through the wood like a hot greased knife through room temperature butter! I was in love with the tool at that moment! I grabbed my other side of the tool tray so I could cut all eight dadoes at the same time (to minimize the number of adjustments I’d need to do) and quickly started making really easy dadoes. Ryan had made it look easier than it actually was, but then it always takes me a bit of time to get the hang of a new handtool. I messed up the edges a little bit on the first few cuts and blew out a bit because I was initially taking too aggressive of a cut, but once I figured out how to correct for these flaws in my method, things went great! The more I explore these hand tools the more I think they may actually be faster than using power tools!

Ryan also showed us how to mortise out and set hinges for a door. This is particularly timely as I want to mortise in some hinges on a step stool I am trying to build at home.

After class Ryan and I got to talking a little bit (sorry about keeping you so long after your long work day Ryan!) and he gave me a tour of the stationary tools in the power tool workshop. It was interesting when he told me about how old one of their General tables saws is as I have been looking into buying a tablesaw and am interested in the longevity and repair history of this brand.

Well there are just two classes to go, and whilst I am looking forward to them I also am not looking forward to these classes ending! Ryan is doing a great job and I am even more fired up about woodworking than before I started the course!

-- "Checking for square? What madness is this! The cabinet is square because I will it to be so!" Jeremy Greiner LJ Topic#20953 2011 Feb 2

5 comments so far

No you are not weird laying out everything before you start cutting. I still do that, although I do a lot of it on computor program first. When I have the material in the shop I already know what cuts are going to come from each sheet. My router planes remind me of chisels with nice big handles ! I Like it !Community college is GREAT. Only sad part is finishing the course and not having the tools you are exposed to.Back to reality !

The great part about this course is I have all the tools at home except for a back saw and the incredible router plane. Hmmm my birthday is coming up soon… oh wait I’m hoping to get a tablesaw then…I need more relatives who can buy me tools LOL!

-- "Checking for square? What madness is this! The cabinet is square because I will it to be so!" Jeremy Greiner LJ Topic#20953 2011 Feb 2

It’s FANTASTIC to hear your excitement and passion about woodworking (and tools) come through your blog. They are great reading. As much as you are going to miss the course, I’m going to miss the fun blog entries about the course. Can you not find another course to take? Thanks again for sharing your course experience and adventures.

Levels 2 and 3 are spaced a month apart starting Feb 8th, so I am hoping to find the budget to keep going! If I do I will certainly blog about it. I’m glad your enjoying the read.

I checked out the router planes at LV, only 145 dollars including 3 blades!

Hey BigTiny,

I have thought about making some planes, I’ve heard they are like salted peanuts though …once you start! I may take you up on the coffee offer, if I manage to spend more than 4 hours there…Okay I was supposed to be there for only three but I spent an hour at Lee Valley…hey the meeting was at 1395 Ellice…how could I not go! :-)

-- "Checking for square? What madness is this! The cabinet is square because I will it to be so!" Jeremy Greiner LJ Topic#20953 2011 Feb 2